Support NeoGAF

[Lister]

Then why should he be trusted

they tell you how great something is, given their own threads to express that, I mean this guy isn't even media but seems to put a lot of stuff out there. It's nothing personal, I don't know the man or who he is, im just genuinely curious as I love this franchise too and this game being a hit would mean something to me, I don't want to see people led down the wrong path for a few bucks is what I'm saying.

He's a gaffer that got to play the game early. I don't see any issues with him sharing his experiences.

It's ok to be skeptical. It's not ok, IMHO, to be calling him a shill.

 

[NoPiece]

He's talking about scanning on the galaxy map. I haven't gotten to the map yet.

Makes sense, well hurry up then!

 

[digoutyoursoul]

He's a gaffer that got to play the game early. I don't see nay issues with him sharing his experiences.

It's ok to be skeptical. It's not ok, IMHO, to be calling him a shill.

I'm not calling him a shill, people have asked why he got a copy this early and he won't answer.

 

[inky]

Then why should he be trusted

they tell you how great something is, given their own threads to express that, I mean this guy isn't even media but seems to put a lot of stuff out there. It's nothing personal, I don't know the man or who he is, im just genuinely curious as I love this franchise too and this game being a hit would mean something to me, I don't want to see people led down the wrong path for a few bucks is what I'm saying.

He's a forum member with a certain amount of access. He posts a lot in here and is not a cynical fart like the rest of us. Other than that, I'm not really qualified to tell you, I was just being cynical and sarcastic.

Whether you trust him or not is up to you really. I didn't mean to imply anything malicious about it if that's what you got from that. I see it no different than companies who send stuff to youtubers and streamers before release expecting to put the word out there. I certainly don't believe he's being forced to say anything positive; it's just his opinion. Like I said, make up your mind about it. I made up mine.

 

[Lister]

I'm not calling him a shill, people have asked why he got a copy this early and he won't answer.

Sorry, that part wasn't strictly about you. Others ARE calling him one though.

 

[texhnolyze]

I'm not calling him a shill, people have asked why he got a copy this early and he won't answer.

It's not the first time he got a copy early..

 

[Madness]

I'm not calling him a shill, people have asked why he got a copy this early and he won't answer.

Probably linked his name with his EA account. Remember that survey EA sent out for early ME access? It said do you visit sites like GAF and asked for your username on those sites. Shinobi is a well known member, and they figure much like popular YouTubers and Twitch streamers get access, lets give a GAF heavy user early access etc. I don't think he is shilling. Just excited to share his viewpoints.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

He's a forum member with a certain amount of access. He posts a lot in here and is not a cynical fart like the rest of us. Other than that, I'm not really qualified to tell you, I was just being cynical and sarcastic.

Whether you trust him or not is up to you really. I didn't mean to imply anything malicious about it if that's what you got from that. I see it no different than companies who send stuff to youtubers and streamers before release expecting to put the word out there. I certainly don't believe he's being forced to say anything positive; it's just his opinion. Like I said, make up your mind about it. I made up mine.

I see. The thing is, if the man is right about the quality of the game I would be made up to say the least.

 

[HueyFreeman]

Thank you for this. Hopefully it'll put to rest the "concern" trolling that plagues MEA threads. some real toxicity towards bioware these days.

EDIT Apparently not given he's being accused of being an EA employee :|

 

[ItsTheNew]

I'm not calling him a shill, people have asked why he got a copy this early and he won't answer.

I have nothing against Shinobi.

He seems to be very positive on most EA games and seems to know someone on the inside (i have no proof). He has a good amount of twitter followers and is influential on gaf. I would imagine he would be a safe "influencer" in EA's eyes to say nice things.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

Probably linked his name with his EA account. Remember that survey EA sent out for early ME access? It said do you visit sites like GAF and asked for your username on those sites. Shinobi is a well known member, and they figure much like popular YouTubers and Twitch streamers get access, lets give a GAF heavy user early access etc. I don't think he is shilling. Just excited to share his viewpoints.

Ahh yeah I do remember the survey now . Good point dude.

 

[FatalT]

Redbox will have it so that's good enough for me. I just want to see the multiplayer for a night 😂

 

[truly101]

I think I noticed Shinobi playing MEA last night on my friends activity on th PS4 dashboard, I was definitely curious on how you were enjoying it so thanks for the impressions.
I've got 25 hrs logged in on HZD and barely scratched Zelda so the thought of another 40+ hour game with Persona 5 just a few weeks away is daunting.

EDIT: has been mentioned before, but Shinobi is one of the least cynical regulars on the gaming board and has consistently been so for a long time. For some of us who have grown tired of "AAA game is terrible" or "I just can't be bothered with hyped game" its nice to find users who just enjoy games without having to be "over it"

 

[pahamrick]

I'm not calling him a shill, people have asked why he got a copy this early and he won't answer.

Long story short I'm really just friends with some of the Bioware guys and I've given feedback on things throughout its dev.

It's not unheard of for Devs to hook friends up with early copies of games, as long as they sign an NDA.

 

[Renekton]

I think I noticed Shinobi playing MEA last night on my friends activity on th PS4 dashboard, I was definitely curious on how you were enjoying it so thanks for the impressions.
I've got 25 hrs logged in on HZD and barely scratched Zelda so the thought of another 40+ hour game with Persona 5 just a few weeks away is daunting.

Yeah you are better off waiting on summer sale for MEA.

 

[RedlineRonin]

He finishes the article explaining he wrote this as he played. His thought as he went through the game, and mentiones how bad opinions/feelings at the beginnign cna become tempered as the game opens up and improves. He's not writing it off yet, but he didn't didn't like what he saw. Not sure why you're calling it hyperbole, unless you played the game?

I mean, did you read the examples of dialogue he mentions? Unless he's lying and hes made them up, then the writing is BAD. There ain't no hyperbole to what I'm reading there. That's what you call sound evidence backing up your point.

I have not played the game, but I annotated below to help address your "not sure why you're calling it hyperbole"

"What else have I experienced? EVERYTHING! The game throws #content at you in fistfuls, not pausing to tell you why or how you should care. You can craft absolutely bloody everything extreme/hyperbolic statement (which does afford the rather important ability to name your own equipment), from a madcap confusion of ludicrous curved lists extreme/hyperbolic statement that don't scroll properly, where every action requires seventeen different clicks extreme/hyperbolic statement that confirm that you want to confirm that you want to craft the thing you don't know if you need."

"Side quests feel like something from a 2004 Korean MMO. Just complete nothingness extreme/hyperbolic statement, running from map icon to map icon, scanning objects with your scanner when told to, and then AI companion SAM letting you know that, yup, the source of the defects has been found/animal has been captured/toddler reunited with rabid tiger extreme/hyperbolic statement, despite your actually doing nothing relevant to the tissue-thin narrative extreme/hyperbolic statement."

I'll repeat for you; I'm not saying he's wrong on any of his points. Could be speaking 100% truth. But it is absolutely exhausting to read anything written in such extremes, positive or negative.

And to you question on dialogue, i haven't read it if it wasn't in that quote. I certainly won't give them a click by reading the article, based on that excerpt. Would be more than happy to read other level headed opinions though.

 

[Retrofluxed]

I'll repeat for you; I'm not saying he's wrong on any of his points. Could be speaking 100% truth.

Looks like John is mistaken for at least one thing.

It's also suspect because real sidequests don't open up until you clear Eos, of which the content after Eos aren't a part of the previews.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

It's not unheard of for Devs to hook friends up with early copies of games, as long as they sign an NDA.

That's true

 

[nynt9]

I have not played the game, but I annotated below to help address your "not sure why you're calling it hyperbole"



I'll repeat for you; I'm not saying he's wrong on any of his points. Could be speaking 100% truth. But it is absolutely exhausting to read anything written in such extremes, positive or negative.

And to you question on dialogue, i haven't read it if it wasn't in that quote. I certainly won't give them a click by reading the article, based on that excerpt. Would be more than happy to read other level headed opinions though.

You realize that writing editorials about something doesn't have to just be a rote technical description, and authors are allowed to, gasp, editorialize, right?

 

[RedlineRonin]

Looks like John is mistaken for at least one thing.

Is this guy a known bullshitter or something? I don't follow RPS

You realize that writing editorials about something doesn't have to just be a rote technical description, and authors are allowed to, gasp, editorialize, right?

I had no idea.....gasp

Is it that much to ask for to get opinions that aren't extremes?

Or at least, if something is really that extreme, you provide context or comparisons?

 

[Lime]

Looks like John is mistaken for at least one thing.

who says that the shitty side quests won't continue on other planets? If they're already established on the first planet, then I'm pretty sure they'll show up on other planets as well. It's par for the course for mainstream game designers to use the same game systems that you established in the beginning of the game, especially an RPG.

 

[shinobi602]

who says that the shitty side quests won't continue on other planets? If they're already established on the first planet, then I'm pretty sure they'll show up on other planets as well. It's par for the course for mainstream game designers to use the same game systems that you established in the beginning of the game, especially an RPG.

I haven't gone to Eos yet, but I've talked to several reviewers who are far into the game and are happy with the sidequests and told me they don't really open up until you get past Eos so I just found it a little weird.

 

[Lister]

I have not played the game, but I annotated below to help address your "not sure why you're calling it hyperbole"



I'll repeat for you; I'm not saying he's wrong on any of his points. Could be speaking 100% truth. But it is absolutely exhausting to read anything written in such extremes, positive or negative.

And to you question on dialogue, i haven't read it if it wasn't in that quote. I certainly won't give them a click by reading the article, based on that excerpt. Would be more than happy to read other level headed opinions though.

So you're judging the entire article based on a few quotes... ok.

He's describing the UI, again, unless you know differently, then how do you know it's hyperbole?

It sounds like you aren't looking for a level headed or especially a critical impression. It sounds like your looking to justify your purchase. And if that's the case, why not just look at the back of the box or any other marketing effort. It's all you need to know this is the best RPG of all time.

 

[Lister]

Looks like John is mistaken for at least one thing.

He's not mistaken when he's writing about the parts he has seen.

 

[Lister]

Is this guy a known bullshitter or something? I don't follow RPS



I had no idea.....gasp

Is it that much to ask for to get opinions that aren't extremes?

Or at least, if something is really that extreme, you provide context or comparisons?

HE HAS. YOU HAVE NOT READ THE ARTICLE.

Hopefully that clears up the issues for you. He even includes screenshots and a gif for your edification.

 

[Retrofluxed]

He's not mistaken when he's writing about the parts he has seen.

There are 2 types of sidequests, "normal" and tasks. Sure sounds like he's describing tasks.

 

[ROUGE_BLOCK]

Wait is their really a discussion about whether or not Shinobi, a very, respected and responsible INSIDER is making a legitimate thread about his impressions on game he got early?

Like is this where we're at now?

That's funny, anyways thanks for the impressions Shinobi

 

[Allnamestakenlol]

Thanks for sharing your impressions, Shinobi.

 

[zeroeffect]

I haven't gone to Eos yet, but I've talked to several reviewers who are far into the game and are happy with the sidequests and told me they don't really open up until you get past Eos so I just found it a little weird.

That's interesting. I wonder why they'd want to intentionally handicap the pacing of their game like that on first area? Sounds like they want to possibly ease people into the game but that could give false perceptions on what the game is about. Bioware is weird.

 

[RedlineRonin]

So you're judging the entire article based on a few quotes... ok.

He's describing the UI, again, unless you know differently, then how do you know it's hyperbole?

It sounds like you aren't looking for a level headed or especially a critical impression. It sounds like your looking to justify your purchase. And if that's the case, why not just look at the back of the box or any other marketing effort. It's all you need to know this is the best RPG of all time.

You're literally attempting to refute my point about hyperbole, using hyperbole. Sure, I haven't played the game, but are you telling me there's a mission in this game where I reunite a toddler with a rabid tiger? Are things really 17 clicks deep in the menu? I guess we'll see upon release....

HE HAS. YOU HAVE NOT READ THE ARTICLE.

Hopefully that clears up the issues for you. He even includes screenshots and a gif for your edification.

Yup, your caps lock clears up everything I ever needed to know about hyperbole...

 

[Retrofluxed]

That's interesting. I wonder why they'd want to intentionally handicap the pacing of their game like that on first area? Sounds like they want to possibly ease people into the game but that could give false perceptions on what the game is about. Bioware is weird.

Probably trying to avoid making Eos another Hinterlands, but damned if you do...

 

[pixellated_man]

He's a gaffer that got to play the game early. I don't see any issues with him sharing his experiences.

It's ok to be skeptical. It's not ok, IMHO, to be calling him a shill.

People insinuating those things are intolerant of opposing views on games and think their opinion of a game must be the 'right one'.

Don't get disheartened OP, tell us exactly how you feel and don't water down your enthusiasm in fear of the haters who have yet to play the game.

 

[Liquidsnakeiv]

YOU SON OF A BITCH

😂
Yeah man I'm pretty jealous....not gonna lie

 

[zeroeffect]

Probably trying to avoid making Eos another Hinterlands, but damned if you do...

Yeah, I could see that. A big problem with open games today is not really just that the side quests are boring but rather they do it too much. I mean if you look at a game like Horizon their questing really isn't all that special. But they don't throw 50 outposts you have to clear or 50 cauldrons so I never felt like that game had bad side content. You don't really notice repetition or at least I didn't. Then they do throw side quests at you that are narrative detailed similar to TW3. I'm hoping ME:A is like this.

I don't really have a problem in Mass Effect if they have fetch errand quests. It's inevitable for a game as big as it will be. I just hope the detailed side quests are rewarding similar to how Witcher 3 was where the serial killer one and assassination quest was better than the main quest line. I don't mean reward me with stuff like hey, here's a crafting recipe I'll never use but give me a full extension on lore that I know nothing about. Help me discover the mysteries of the universe on a side mission. Things like that. I do think it would be fine to reward the player with cool things like a bunch of different crafting recipes, guns, armor, etc. on errand quests. Could make them feel more rewarding and less mundane since customization will be a big thing.

 

[SolicitorPirate]

As someone who remembers the early impressions thread for Horizon Zero Dawn, it's funny how someone's desire for a game to be good or bad colours their perception of how trustworthy an impression is.

 

[Exploratory]

That's not what I'm saying.
I'm just saying that it weirdly avoids the issues shown recently and still today (facial animations, systems, bugs, etc) and looks (again, just looks) like it wants to avoid the topic.

More power to anyone enjoying games, but it's better to talk about everything as previously thought, like in a good preview rather than read like PR.

I just had this same criticism lobbed at me in my Ghost Recon thread. What is this ridiculous notion that if you think a game is good and give a positive impression you're a PR mouth piece? #MainStreamMedia shilling on GAF amirite?

 

[digoutyoursoul]

As someone who remembers the early impressions thread for Horizon Zero Dawn, it's funny how someone's desire for a game to be good or bad colours their perception of how trustworthy an impression is.

Well look at it like this:

The man isn't in the gaming press, he doesn't have a website that reviews games, he isn't a YouTuber or a Streamer, a twitter account and a GAF profile is what we have to go on, so I asked myself, why has he been given a early copy and why does his thoughts get the spotlight of its own thread like say an Angry Joe or Jim Sterling?

I don't think it was such an unreasonable thing to ask about , It's not a vendetta or some weird agenda, I was just genuinely curious and considering I'm a huge fan of the series I would like him to be right and I wanted to know who he is. That's it.

 

[Blobbers]

“I tend to live the way I work: kinda “feel it, do it.” Not a lot of close ties, no real sense of purpose.”

 

[wenaldy]

Can i make ugly Shepard?

 

[psychotron]

Shit, I guess I'm in day 1 now. I still have two routes to complete in Nier, finish Horizon and Nioh and FFXV. I've never been so stacked with games.

 

[nynt9]

You're literally attempting to refute my point about hyperbole, using hyperbole. Sure, I haven't played the game, but are you telling me there's a mission in this game where I reunite a toddler with a rabid tiger? Are things really 17 clicks deep in the menu? I guess we'll see upon release....



Yup, your caps lock clears up everything I ever needed to know about hyperbole...

You can keep calling things you disagree with hyperbolic, but that doesn't affect their truthfulness. It's just how the argument is conveyed. Attacking the tone of an argument instead of the substance is a pretty common derailing tactic though, so you're not really fooling anyone.

 

[NoPiece]

Is this guy a known bullshitter or something? I don't follow RPS

I had no idea.....gasp

Is it that much to ask for to get opinions that aren't extremes?

Or at least, if something is really that extreme, you provide context or comparisons?

You should read John Walker's nuanced defense (while acknowledging the flaws) of the Mass Effect 3 ending. He isn't out there constantly spouting extreme opinions, and doesn't have an axe to grind with Mass Effect.

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/03/19/whats-right-with-mass-effect-3s-ending/

 

[ItsTheNew]

Can i make ugly Shepard?

I think the question should be, can you make an attractive one.

 

[LightInfa]

Thanks for the impressions OP - decided to bite the bullet and pre-order to get that Amazon release day shipping. Loved DAI so this really strengthened my hope that it'll be sci fi flavored RPG comfort food for me.

 

[neojubei]

So I took a shuttle down to H7, and I was in gameplay camera the whole time inside the shuttle. I actually loved that it wasn't a cutscene but rather in-game. It drew me into the scene much more. Of course something happens on the way down and I was thrown in a little gameplay sequence of falling down to the planet's surface. It was an awesome little moment.

thanks for this. i dont want landings to be cutscenes.

 

[RedlineRonin]

You can keep calling things you disagree with hyperbolic, but that doesn't affect their truthfulness. It's just how the argument is conveyed. Attacking the tone of an argument instead of the substance is a pretty common derailing tactic though, so you're not really fooling anyone.

On the contrary, the statements about the tiger and 17 clicks are the literal definition of hyperbole. I don't care who thinks the game is good or bad or why. My entire first post was that it's difficult to take seriously, things written in that tone, good, bad or otherwise. I said in both posts he could be 100% right about his comments, so i have no issue with the "substance"

You should read John Walker's nuanced defense (while acknowledging the flaws) of the Mass Effect 3 ending. He isn't out there constantly spouting extreme opinions, and doesn't have an axe to grind with Mass Effect.

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/03/19/whats-right-with-mass-effect-3s-ending/

Thanks, I'll read it right now.

 

[Username1198]

Cmon Tuesday I need you in my veins

 

[Dick Justice]

That RPS article gave me flashbacks to Inquisition. Yeah, I think I'll be skipping this shit.

 

[prag16]

...wait

HA. That got me too. Read the post, then didn't notice the username right away...

In serious though, it IS a serious accusation.

Some are saying that they feel shinobi's view may be colored by the fact that he's close with some Bioware employees and they give him peeks behind the curtain. Having seen shinobi's post history over a long timespan I don't think we have much to worry about personally, but it's a fair point to raise.

Accusations of full blown astroturfing though are uncalled for.

 

[FatalT]

I haven't gone to Eos yet, but I've talked to several reviewers who are far into the game and are happy with the sidequests and told me they don't really open up until you get past Eos so I just found it a little weird.

Is the multiplayer feature active yet or will that not turn on until next Tuesday? Could you play with other reviewers? I'd like to know more about that feature, please! They've only released one or two videos showcasing it.